From April 15, local authorities will randomly check high-rise buildings that were reported to violate the fire code, including the 17 buildings listed by Hanoi.

The inspections will definitely target the 17 buildings listed by Hanoi for violating the fire code

At the monthly meeting on April 5, Deputy Minister of Construction Le Quang Hung worked with the Ministry of Public Security (MoPS)’s Fire Prevention Department (C66) about ensuring fire safety at high-rise buildings.

Accordingly, the two sides will soon establish a new task force to examine fire safety at buildings in seven cities and provinces, including the 17 buildings violating the fire code in Hanoi.

Talking about the capital, Hung said that these cases are very complicated because these buildings not only clash with design standards but their structure cannot be changed either and the newly established team will check each building to find appropriate solutions.

The two sides’ leaders affirmed that fire prevention and fighting standards will not be reduced to cater for these 17 buildings.

According to deputy director of C66, Bui Quang Viet, MoPS assigned local authorities to inspect all high-rise buildings for fire safety and report to MoPS.

“C66 checks high-rise buildings once a year, other inspections are the responsibility of investors and the buildings’ management boards. Therefore, the buildings’ management boards have to be more careful in maintaining the fire prevention equipment,” said Viet.

According to Hung, the Ministry of Construction directed that all high-rise buildings have to meet the fire code before receiving construction certificates. All work has to be checked for fire safety before the building can be launched.

Developer of notorious Carina Plaza fire-building finally promises compensation

Submitting to pressure from management agencies and the press, Hung Thanh Co., Ltd., the developer of Carina Plaza, has promised to repair the damaged apartments and pay for the burnt vehicles.

Hung Thanh has just sent a document to Carina Plaza residents to apologise. The company confirmed that it will provide information for the investigation, help families whose members died or were injured, and compensate part of the assets and the vehicles of residents.

Hung Thanh and its parent company 577 Investment Corporation (NBB) agreed to give VND100 million ($4,405) for each deceased family member and VND5-50 million ($220-2,200) for each injury. Up to date, a total of over VND2.2 billion ($97,000) has been paid.

Hung Thanh also spent over VND2 billion ($88,100) helping 668 households rent temporary accommodation until their apartments are repaired. For the burnt vehicles, the company promises to pay reasonably compensation that is proportionate with the vehicles’ value and pay for the repairs of damaged vehicles.

The representative of Hung Thanh confirmed that all fire damage to the apartments will be repaired.

According to Hung Thanh, the company is also a victim of the fire, so they expect the local authorities to soon determine the responsibilities of relevant parties, such as the contractors in charge of the operation, management, and security of Carina Plaza.

After the apology and compensation promises, the stock of the parent company NBB has increased by VND1,100 today, following a plunge that lasted for eight consecutive sessions. NBB closed at VND18,300 today, finally steering out of the plunge that reduced its capitalisation by VND810 billion ($35.7 million).

Earlier, NBB stated that it was not the developer of Carina Plaza, despite holding 95 per cent of Hung Thanh’s charter capital.

VIR